This is one of the seven Saptasthana Shiva temples associated with Thiruneelkudi. It is situated at a distance of 15 kms from Kumbhakonam on Kumbhakonam-Karaikkal route and it is about 3 kms from Aduthurai on Aduthurai-Thiruvarur route. This is one of the 276 Padal Pethra sthalam on the southern bank of Kaveri. The present temple was built by the Chola kings and later renovations were done by the others. The original temple must have existed before 7th century. This place was also known as Panchabilwa kshetra.
Mulavar: Shri Neelkantheshwarar, Shri Manokkiyanatharswami, Shri Bilwaaranyeshwarar, Shri Jambanayekar, Shri Kaamdhenupurishwarar
Devi: Shri Thavakkola Ambika / Shri Bhaktaabhishta Pradayini, Shri Azhagaambika/ Shri Anupamasthani
Sacred teertha: Bramha teertha, Devi teertha, Kheer teertha, Bhardwaj teertha, Markandeya teertha
Kshetra vruksha: 5 leaved bilwa tree, Jackfruit tree, Panchalinga tree
Puranic name: Thennalkudi, Thennilkudi
Kshetra puran:
During Samudra manthan when poison emerged, to save everyone from it, Shri Shiva consumed it. At that very instant, Shri Parvati Devi held him by his throat to stop poison from entering in the stomach. His throat became blue, hence He is praised as Shri Neelkantheswarar and the place came to be known as Thiruneelkudi. In order to relieve Shri Shiva of the pain, Shri Parvati Devi anointed his throat with Gingelly oil at this place. Hence abhishek is done to the Shiva Linga with Gingelly oil.
In order to achieve Chiranjeevi status, Sage Markandeya worshiped Shri Shiva of this temple by carrying him on palanquin. He attained Chiranjeevi status at this temple.
In the sacred hymn, rendered by Appar, there is a mention of an incident which happened to him. Once the men tied Appar to a granite slab and threw him into the Sea. He prayed to Shri Shiva of this temple to save him by singing hymns. Shri Shiva kept in afloat and made him reach the shore.
About the temple:
This is an east facing temple with a single tiered Rajagopuram and 2 parikramas. As soon as we enter the temple we come across Dhwajastambha, Balipeeth and Nandi facing the sanctum. There is an arch at the entrance of the sanctum. The Shiva linga is swayambhoo facing the east. The linga is about 2 ft tall and has rough surface with a square projection. Abhishek is done daily with oil but linga absorbs entire oil as abhishek. Even through the linga looks rough, it is never wet. The sanctum sanatorum is moat shape.
The koshta moorthis are Shri Ganesha, Shri Dakshinamurti, Shri Lingodbhavar, Shri Bramha and Shri Durga Devi. Shri Chandikeshwar and Shri Chandikeshwari Devi are in a separate shrine in the usual position. There are 2 separate shrines for Shri Parvati Devi. In one shrine we have Shri Thavakkola Ambika / Shri Tapas Parvati / Shri Bhaktaabhishta Pradayini. In the other we have the idol of Shri Azhagaambika / Shri Anupamasthani / Shri Oppilamulayal. In the first shrine i.e. Shri Thavakkola Ambika, she is depicted as doing penance. According to puran, she did penance at this place for marrying Shri Shiva. The idol is about 4 ft in height. In the 2nd shrine, Shri Anupamasthani is 4 ft tall. According to puran, she nursed Shri Shiva back to health. In a mandap known as Mukti mandap, we find a Shiva Linga worshiped by Shri Bramha. In the corridor we come across the following shrines and idols. Shiva Linga worshiped by sage Markandeya. A Navagraha shrine in which all the planets face Shri Surya. Shri Ganesha, Shri Subramanya with his consorts, Shri Kannimoola Ganapati (Ganapati in SE corner), Shri Shanishwarar, Shri Bala Subramanya, Shri Neelkantha Nayanar, Shri Kashivishwanath and Shri Vishalaxi Devi, Shri Saraswati Devi, Shri Mahalaxmi Devi, Shri Narthana Vinayaka, Shaiva saint Nalvar, Sage Markandeya, Shri Surya and Shri Bhairava.
Salient features:
The kshetra vruksha i.e. Pancha bilwa vruksha is very significant as we find, 5 leaves in a twig, instead of the usual 3. Hence the place is known as Panchabilwaranya kshetra
The Shiva linga absorbs all the oil poured over it during abhishek.
It is stated that the jackfruit tree in the corridor is very auspicious. According to hear-say one cannot take away the fruit from this tree w/o first offering to Shri Shiva as Naivedya. If it is taken out w/o offering to the Shri Shiva, the fruit gets spoiled
There is a painting in the parikrama which depicts Shri Parvati Devi performing oil abhishek to Shri Shiva.
A stone, mortal and pazel is seen in the corridor. It is stated that it was used in earlier days for grinding Gingelly seeds.
The sanctum santorum is in the form of a semi-circular moat
According to those following Yoga marga Thiruneelkudi is the place to start with as Muladhar sthala. The efforts to raise Kundalini shakti begin from Muladhar.
Sage Markandeya worshiped Shri Neelkantheshwarar by carrying him in a palanquin, he attained status of Chiranjeevi at this place. As a mark of respect to Shri Shiva, he worshiped 7 nearby temples together known as Saptasthana Shiva temples of Thiruneelkudi. In memory of this event, during annual Chittrai festival the idols of Shri Shiva, Shri Parvati Devi and Sage Markandeya are carried in procession from this temple to the other 6 temples.
Shri Bramha was relieved of the curse incurred due to his association with celestial damsel Urvashi. Kaamdhenu also worshiped Shri Shiva at this place and got rid of a curse.
Those who worshiped at this place:
Shri Bramha, Shri Parvati Devi, Shri Katyayini Devi, Shri Varun, Sage Vashishta, Sage Romesa, Sage Bharadwaj, Sage Markandeya, Sage Durvasa, Celestial cow Kamdhenu, Pandavas and Dev kanyas.
Prayers:
Devotees worship Shri Shiva for removal of fear from death and for longevity by offering oil for abhishek.
This is a Rahu Parihar sthala. People worship Shri Shiva for relief from adverse effects of Rahu. They consume a small quantity of the oil after abhishek and devotees believe they will be relieved for prolonged ailments.
Pujas: Regular pradosha puja & Special abhishek on Tamil and English new year days, Diwali and special puja 4 times every Monday
Festivals:
Chittrai (Apr-May): 18 day Bramhostav. This was established by Sage Markandeya. Shri Shiva is taken in procession to 18 villages around Thiruneelkudi. Finally, the procession come to end at Elanthurai.
Aadi (July-Aug): Aadi Puram
Aaipassi (Oct-Nov): Annabhishek
Karthigai (Nov-Dec): Thirukarthigai deepam
Margazhi (Dec-Jan): Thiruvatirai
Masi (Feb-Mar): Shivaratri
Timing: 6-11am and 5-8pm
Address: Shri Neelkantheswarar temple at post Thiruneelkudi, Taluka Thiruvidaimurukku, Tamil Nadu 621108
Phone: +91-4352460660
Courtesy: Various websites and blogs